June 6th, 2014

Spotlight on Music:

Wicked: The Original Broadway Cast Recording: Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

So much happened before Dorothy dropped in...

...And so begins one of the best known musicals of the past decade. Wicked, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary this past October, is based on the book of the same name by Gregory McGuire, which, in turn, is based on the classic novel by L. Frank Baum.

It tells the story of Elphaba, the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West and her best friend Glinda, following their years together at Shiz University and eventually running parallel to the story of the Dorothy, Oz's original heroine. The musical's original cast was led by Idina Menzel (best known today for her performance as Queen Elsa in Frozen) and Kristen Chenoweth (recognizable for her performances in the TV shows Pushing Daisies and Glee) and features a soaring score courtesy of Stephen Schwartz. The Act I finale Defying Gravity has become a well-known and well-loved Broadway anthem that perfectly encapsulates the musical’s sense of discovery and empowerment as Elphaba embraces her “wickedness” and the magic that defines her character (complete with flying broomstick)

Wicked is a delightful retelling of an iconic story that should appeal to all audiences, whether you are a musical lover or not. Every performer shines in a best-selling, Tony Award winning effort as they jump from the numbers like the hilarious Popular to the heartrending ensemble piece No One Mourns the Wicked, to a personal favourite of mine For Good.

This Sunday is the 2014 Tony Awards, celebrating the best American Theatre has to offer. Have your own celebration and tune in to watch Wicked be honoured for its 10 year run along with performances from this year’s nominees or check out the Yellowknife Public Library’s large collection of original Broadway soundtracks and film adaptations of classic musicals

-Review by Emma Welsh